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There’s something about Broadstairs that feels like it hasn’t changed since you were a kid – however long ago that was. The town is all about sandcastles, ice creams and beach huts, and it mines a nostalgic desire for the authentic British family holiday.

There are a number of picturesque beaches in Broadstairs. Botany Bay and Joss Bay to the north of the town are both Blue Flag. Botany Bay is probably the most scenic of all the local beaches but despite this it is never the busiest – possibly because it’s not the easiest to find. Our personal recommendation is Louisa Bay where you’ll find Derek’s, home of the best beach kiosk bacon sandwich in Thanet.

As a holiday town, Broadstairs has a high number of bars and restaurants. Probably the stand-out restaurant is Posillipo which has seen many other restaurants rise and fall in its 25 year existence.

For one week in August, Broadstairs is taken over by its Folk Festival, where it becomes a kind of Glastonbury-by-Sea, overrun by hairy men and women. There are bands playing in venues all over the town, in pubs, in the park, at the bandstand, or just busking anywhere they can find a spot. The town comes alive with music and people (and morris men as well, unfortunately).

Unlike Ramsgate, Broadstairs is not known for its blogging culture. Instead, if you want to find out what’s going on in the town, turn to the Broadie, an anti-establishment pamphlet issued several times a year, publishing opinions, rumours and the occasional fact about the town.

That’s our beginner’s guide to Broadstairs. Feel free to tell us how wrong / right we are.